Travel photography: Learn with George Lepp, plus 30 workshops in Morro Bay

Some of Morro Bay’s most spectacular scenery may be found on a “photocache” in which seekers search not for buried treasure but above-the-ground vistas in the California coastal area. The self-guided tour aims to lead photographers — from beginners with a point-and-shoot camera to advanced shooters — to a dozen treasured views in and around the coastal town.

The tour is one of more than 30 workshops and events offered Oct. 22 to 24 at the Morro Photo Expo, where participants will receive hands-on lessons in taking pictures from the water, in the garden, of the moon and beyond. Birds, sunsets, tide pools and coastal oaks are subjects featured in separate field sessions.

“The photocache was popular last year,” volunteer organizer Howard Ignatius wrote in an e-mail. “Participants were given the GPS coordinates of the best places to take photographs in and around Morro Bay, and many came back with great shots.”

Well-known outdoor photographer George Lepp, who also writes the Tech Tips column in Outdoor Photographer magazine, will present a session about wildlife photography titled “From Africa to Morro Bay: Capturing the Wild” (yes, he means Morro Bay) from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 23.

Lepp also will co-lead a master field class (limited to 14) at nearby Montana de Oro State Park to talk about techniques specific to shooting coastal landscapes and wildlife.

Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to participate in this annual event, which is organized and led by volunteers. The expo is a great value: $129 per person for the weekend, which includes an Expo T-shirt. (Some sessions, particularly those conducted on boats, carry extra fees to cover costs.)

“Most committee members, organizers, instructors and facilitators are non-paid volunteers who share a strong sense of community, a passion for photography and a love of our area’s abundant natural beauty,” Ignatius says.

Go to Morro Photo Expo to register and review a full schedule of activities. For more information, call (805) 275-4143 or e-mail [email protected].